THE prize on offer at Windsor Park today for league leaders Coleraine can’t be understated.
Collect the win and they would put 14 points between Linfield, who are currently in fifth position, and themselves.
As well as creating that physical gap, it would deliver a significant psychological blow as the Bannsiders continue to dream of only a second ever Gibson Cup success.
Linfield are stuttering and they can ill afford another slip up. Four league defeats in their last six games and recent County Antrim Shield and League Cup exits threaten to derail their season completely.
A win for David Healy’s side today and everything changes though, and that’s exactly what Coleraine manager Oran Kearney will be fearful of.
The home side should not be short of motivation either with the club feeling a sense of injustice at the standard of officiating over the last season and a half.
The latest dispute came during their midweek 2-0 League Cup loss to Crusaders.
With Linfield chasing a one-goal deficit, their defender Mark Stafford and Crues midfielder David Cushley both committed to a tackle in the middle of the pitch.
Referee Raymond Hetherington dismissed Cushley before reversing his decision, as well as sending off Stafford, after consulting with another match official. The fact that Stafford has since had his red card rescinded only rubbed more salt into the wounds.
That, along with previous incidents, saw Linfield take the unusual step of releasing a statement on Thursday criticising the officiating they have encountered.
“The bizarre incident at Seaview on Wednesday evening has further heightened this club’s lack of confidence in our match officials,” it read.
“Linfield acknowledges that refereeing can be a thankless task at times, but Northern Irish football needs match officials that can perform to the increasingly high standard that the public expects of players and teams in NIFL competitions.”
One of the incidents highlighted elsewhere in the statement was the decision to allow Coleraine’s winner to stand when these sides met last month.
Jamie McGonigle's late effort was adjudged to have crossed the line and Healy was sent off for his protestations, something that is sure to add some extra spice to today’s clash.
While Linfield have genuine reason to feel aggrieved, equally worrying is their inability to take chances in recent games, something that has cost them dearly.
It is believed the club are trying to address that problem with former Cliftonville, Coleraine and Derry City striker David McDaid confirming that he is in talks to join the club.
McDaid, who helped Waterford United to the League of Ireland First Division title last season, is currently a free agent and has attracted the interest of a number of other suitors too.
Interestingly, Coleraine have scored less goals than Linfield in the league, but they’re making most of them count with five of their wins this season coming by one-goal margins.
If results go a certain way Linfield will be almost as close to the relegation spots (15 points) as they are the top of the table (14) – that in itself demonstrates the significance of this fixture.
Irish League Stats
Ards v Cliftonville
CLIFTONVILLE have won seven of their last eight league games and have kept five clean sheets during that run. They conceded three when they met Ards on the opening day of the season but managed six in return. Ards have hit nine goals in their last four league games but have won just one of those, so it’s not hard to see where Colin Nixon’s issues lie.
Odds: H: 7/2 D: 16/5 A: 1/2
Verdict: Cliftonville
Ballinamallard United v Glenavon
GELNAVON will have James Singelton back from suspension as they aim to continue their superb league form. Gary Hamilton’s side remain unbeaten in nine game as they keep pace with leaders Coleraine. While the Lurgan side have averaged three goals a season, Ballinamallard’s concession average is almost identical.
Odds: H: 15/2 D: 9/2 A: 2/9
Verdict: Glenavon
Ballymena United v Dungannon Swifts
BALLYMENA will try to build on last week’s win over Linfield but know that a loss here will see their opponents overtake them in the league table. The Swifts will be confident of achieving that win having recorded two 2-1 victories recently, over Warrenpoint in the league and Ballyclare in the League Cup.
Odds: H: 5/6 D: 11/4 A: 21/10
Verdict: Draw
Crusaders v Carrick Rangers
CONTROVERSY surrounded Crusaders’s 2-0 midweek league cup win over Linfield, but Stephen Baxter won’t mind as his side notched up another win after their heroics against Dundee United in the Scottish Challenge Cup. Their good form should carry them to three points here.
Odds: H: 1/7 D: 11/2 A: 10/1
Verdict: Crusaders
Linfield v Coleraine
LINFIELD desperately need a win to keep in touch with Coleraine because a loss would leave them 14 points behind and in danger of slipping out of the title race already. Coleraine have dropped just four points from their first 14 games.
Odds: H: 5/6 D: 13/5 A: 13/5
Verdict: Draw
Warrenpoint Town v Glentoran
CREATING chances has not been an issue for Warrenpoint this season, finishing them has been. Even in last week’s 2-0 win over Carrick Rangers, they missed a bagful before Stephen Murray struck twice. Glentoran will be without former ‘Point player John McGuigan as they chase a fifth straight win at Milltown.
Odds: H: 11/5 D: 13/5 A: 10/11
Verdict: Draw
